Protective means for safes.



PATENTBD JULY 9, 1907.-

W. WEIKEL. PROTECTIVE MEANS FOR SAFES.

APYLIGATION FILED OGTJG, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

b 2 5 6 no M PATENTBD JULY 9. 1907.

W. WEIKEL.- PROTBGTIYE MEANS FOR SAFES.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 16, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fi f Web/del UNITED STATES WILSON WEIKEL, OF TRE'NPON, OHIO.

PROTECTIVE MEANS FOR SAFES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1907.

Application filed October 16, 1905. Serial No. 283,027.

V and useful Improvements in Protective Means for Safes,

of which the following is a specification.

Unauthorized access to so called burglar proof safes, vaults and like repositories for valuables is generally had by means of high explosives which are used to blow the safe open, or by means which produce a jar or shock. Having this in mind it is the purpose of the present invention to take advantage of such shock or the disturbance resulting from the violent opening of the safe to liberate noxious, pungent, or poisonous fumes, odors or vapors which will produce disastrous results, hence the safe is guarded by rendering the air in the vicinity unsuitable for respiration.

This invention contemplates an improved construction of receptacle for containing an agent, which when liberated will poison the surrounding atmosphere to an extent so as to render existence therein impossible and cause a person to flee for safety, and an explosive adjacent to said receptacle for destroying the same for setting free the air poisoning agent, said explosive being of a natureto be set off by concussion or a jar such as produced by opening a safe through violence.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, I in which: Figure l is a perspective view of the invention applied. Fig. 2 is a cross section. Fig. 3 is a partial cross section through the safe, showing the invention applied thereto. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the same with a portion of the shield broken away to expose the tubes.

The air poisoning agent is preferably contained in a receptacle 1 and may be of a nature to quickly mix with the surrounding atmosphere when liberated from any cause so as to render existence unbearable and practically impossible and compelling any person or persons to seek safety in flight. For setting free the air poisoning agent, a high explosive is arranged in proximal relation thereto and may consist of nitroglycerin or other composition which will explode by concussion, jar or other disturbance resulting from opening of the safe, vault or like repository by violence.

The explosive or nitroglycerin is contained in a receptacle 2, which, like the receptacle 1, is preferably of glass or like frangible material so as to quickly liberate the contents in an emergency such as hereinbefore specified. It is essential that the explosive or like agent be arranged in such close proximity to the receptacle 1, as to insure liberation of the air poisoning agent. In the preferable construction, the receptacles l and 2 consist of lengths of glass tubing, the receptacle 2 being of less diameter than the receptacle 1. For convenience of support and handling the receptacles l and 2, a frame is provided, the same consisting of a plate 3 having sockets 4 near each end to receive plaster-paris, cement, or a plastic composition in which the ends of the tubes or receptacles 1 and 2 are embedded. The t'erminals of the plate projecting beyond the sockets 4 are apertured to receive therein screws or other fastenings by means of which the device may be attached to the safe or other article to be protected. The middle portion of the plate between the sockets, is cut away to increase the sensitiveness oi the article by admitting the receptacles to come close to the wall of the part to which the articletis attached. A cover 5 extends over the receptacles l. and 2 to prevent any object striking the same in the ordinary course of business and prematurely or inopportunely liberating the air poisoning agent. The cover 5 preferably consists of a metal plate curved to conform to the outer surface of the sockets 4 and attached by solder or otherwise to one of said sockets or to the plate.

A protective article constructed substantially as herein specified, is adapted to be attached to the safe, vault or other repository for valuables, in such position as to insure its effective operation in the event of the safe being blown open or entered by violence in any manner. Inasmuch as such attacks are generally made upon the door or entrance to the sale, it is deemed advisable to attach the device to the inner side of the door, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings. The concussion, jar or shock incident to an attack upon the door, results in setting off the explosive, which latter in turn liberates the air poisoning agent, which, permeating the surrounding atmosphere, causes the operator or persons to take flight.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

frame provided with sockets at opposite ends, two receptacles mounted on the frame and consisting of glass tubes having the ends thereof received in the sockets aforesaid. one of said receptacles containing a normally contined air poisoning agent to be liberated on destruction of the receptacle containing the same,- the other receptacle containing an explosive explodable by concussion independently of any mechanical means to destroy the rec'eptacle containing the air poisoning agent, and a support for the protective means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILSON WEIKEL. [L. 3.] Witnesses DANIEL WEIKEL, WILLIAM O. BARNITZ.

Protective means for safes or the like consisting of a 

